the gold project.

During exam period, I was itching to do some fun and interesting small projects like learning photoshop and upgrading my blog. Another one of them, was to do some photo shoot projects with none other than my best friend, Ming Han.

We once did a photo shoot for fun in high school when Ming Han first got his DSLR, but that was pretty much low quality as we did not have enough experience and exposure to all these stuff, and we just randomly did it for fun. As much fun as we had, we were mocked by people around us, for the "wannabe" photos and I had a pretty hard time trying to get over people laughing at our works. But now to think back, seriously, and as the way my girl Taylor Swift would say, "why you gotta be so mean?!"

So this time, we promised that we will do another one, much better than the one we did before, and we wanted to make our semester break much more productive by doing this photo shoot project, instead of just sitting around doing nothing completely. I still remember how it started, I was in the library studying, and I randomly FB messaged Ming Han, saying we should do a photo shoot, and surprisingly, he said he had the same urge to do it too! So we made a pact to do this project as soon as we finish our exams.

While we were discussing this, I just randomly called it "the gold project" between us both because of some historical context from high school jokes. But after that, this name got stuck, and I actually got to love the simplicity of this name, and Ming Han could not think of anything else that seems better and more appropriate, so "the gold project." is born.

We started out with our first ever photo shoot project named "Wild Hearts". Ming Han wanted to do a photoshoot that is high fashion and fueled with "oomph" and a strong, feisty feel to it. I wanted to have a photo shoot where the background is grey and made of concrete, as I have always love how photo shoots can make a background that is almost something you would not notice, become a place where beautiful pictures can be created.

Altogether, it was a 3 day effort to create our first the gold project, named "Wild Hearts". We used the first day to plan and visualize what theme and direction for this photo shoot, followed by choosing the outfit and giving the make up a trial run. On the second day, we went out for our photoshoot, and on the last day we edited our photos, chose our favourite ones, and created our FB page. You can visit our FB page to see the whole album HERE.

I am very proud of our first photo shoot as we put in lots of hard work into it, and were really committed. I get questions and even some teasing ( I don't know why, but whenever you do something out of the norm, it becomes a target of mockery), but I don't see how that is going to stop me from doing these unusual small projects that I always wanted to do. Why choose to conform, when you have the potential to do crazy things, embark on different journeys, and just have fun? :)

Here are some photos that were not in our FB page, but which I kinda love as well.

 

With the very professional, and yet fun Zhong Yew :) 

Founders of the gold project. ;)


We asked Zhong Yew to come along, and he helped us a lot! As he is now the founder of his start up company Giovane, which deals with entertainment and media, he gave us a lot of pointers and helpful tips. It was a great day out with these two and we had loads of fun.

Oh, and did I mention that the shoot location was found by coincidence? We planned to go to one of the factories in the industrial area, but when we went in to ask, they wanted us to apply, and write in and all the formality documents etc. So we gave up, and thought of going to the airport area to shoot. But when Ming Han took a wrong turn, we were at this cul-de-sac which has a small road leading to a kampung. There were all these concrete pieces piled up in one messy corner, including a pile of tar. But when we saw this section, what we saw was the different shapes and textures that held potential to be a great background for our photos. (Oh, and we went down to be greeted by the stench of rubbish, because on the opposite was a big rubbish dump area, but we survived through it and got our noses numb to it. )

Who knew a place like this could produce such a nice background for a photo shoot huh? :)

This first phase of the gold project was so much fun, and I look forward to more to come! Stay tuned for more of our escapades!

With Love,

Exam Favourites.

Just before my sembreak, as usual, I had my semester finals. This semester may "seem" easy because I have 3 major psychology subjects, the others are just minors like language (French), which I loved and took quite seriously lor, Pengajian Malaysia (Ha!) and English. But my 3 major subjects were pretty tough, because they were more technical and research based. But I tried my best to convince myself I love them, but it was NOT easy. Anyway, as finals get tougher each semester, there are certain things that helped me get through those tough weeks.

So I thought I'd share some of my exam favorites in case these are the things you might just need to get through fighting the exam weeks.

#1      Green Tea 

I think green tea is like my all-time favourite. I live for green tea. I guess I was sort of influenced by my mum and her routine of drinking green tea every evening. Back to my love for green tea. I love green tea, in all it's form. Matcha ice cream to green tea latte to the actual green tea itself, Mmmmmm. So good! I even think it's better than coffee, because sometimes coffee makes me feel a lil bloated and nauseous, so I prefer the light and refreshing green tea as my best companion, especially when I study for exams. I would refill and refill hot water until it becomes near to just plain water, then I throw out the tea bag. My university's library does not allow us to bring in any bottles or drinks, but for the sake of green tea, I was a total bad ass and did my Mission Impossible by smuggling in my flask of green tea. Eh, I really bad ass okay, I got spot checked twice, once entering, and once leaving, but I somehow, magically, did a whole books/jacket/flask juggle and got pass. Boo yeah! What was I talking about again? Oh, green tea. Yup, certainly effective to keep me staying fresh and awake while I study.

#2      Eyedrops 

During exams, my eyes get tired and strained very quickly. It feels stingy and dry, and if I ignore it, it gives me a headache. I have always live through this for the past exams by washing my eyes, or putting on my glasses, but it does not get better fast enough. Usually I need a nap, but sometimes time does not allow me to take a nap each time my eyes hurt, which is quite often. So I went and bought myself this Eye Glo Plus eyedrops, and I think it does help. Whenever my eyes feel a lil tired, I just drop a few drops into my eyes, and they don't feel as dry and tired. I recommend this to whoever who gets strained eyes while studying or staring at the computer for too long.

#3      Workable Stationary

I believe this is a no-brainer la. But some people just work with whatever stationary they have at hand to study, and I feel it does affect my study progress. I believe that good stationary is important to study effectively. Example, I found this cheap and smooth writing gel pen, it's not even branded, I just checked and it says Zhi Xin, and I don't think you can get this everywhere, but it's perfect! It makes my writing much neater, and since I make notes while I study, I find this pen super useful. I promise it makes your writing look much neater! Oh and it does not do that whole "I can't be used after I am dropped" thing like many gel pens. Whatever it is, get your favourite stationary that you need for exams, it's okay if its more pricey, but make sure it is workable for you.

#4      Messy Bun

I added this because I think throughout the whole exam period, especially if I am at home, my hair was up in a messy bun. It irritates me when my hair comes tumbling down in my face when I study. I'm already damn pek chek and stressed out, I don't need my hair distracting me. Besides, I get distracted if I don't tie it up. I will look at my hair ends, ask myself why so much split-ends, if I should color my hair, if I need a hair cut, google some hair care hacks and "byeeeeee, studies". So the best way is to get it away from my face and out out of my mind. Out of sight, out of mind. :p

#5     Daily To-Do Lists

I find it super useful to make daily to-do lists when I study, especially when finals are approaching. I like to write out my to-do list on the night before, right before I sleep, so I can have a clear mind on what I need to do the next day, and can wake up feeling determined and motivated. Another tip on this, don't overestimate/underestimate your own ability. I used to write a long list, forcing myself to complete more chapters than I can handle, and it either ends up with me rushing through the chapters without properly digesting it, or feeling super demotivated and ended up not doing anything. So know your own ability and plan achievable lists.

#6      Nail Polish

I know, I know. Weird to be on the list right? This is really subjective. But for me, I think it's worth it to paint my nails during my small breaks between study sessions. I prefer painting it in funky colours like yellow and orange this time. I find the pop of color at my fingertips cheers me up and brings more color to my dull lecture notes and textbooks. It just makes me happy each time I see those colors running around across my notes when I study. Maybe I am hardcore vain la, but if you are a girl, and you like seeing some colors on your nails, you should try it. Its these little things that keeps my mood lifted.

#7    Unwinding tools 

Different people have different ways of unwinding, but it is important to unwind after a whole day of studying. I know some people might think, "crazy meh, exams watch show?!". But I think it works for me. If I finish all I was suppose to cover that day, I wind down and watch an episode of sitcom, in this case my favourite series, How I Met Your Mother to unwind and go to sleep relaxed. If you think it takes too much time, you can opt to do some light reading, play some music, or watch some youtube videos, or just whatever you like, to treat yourself for being hardworking. It makes you feel good about yourself. :)


So these were my exam favourites for this semester, thanks for reading!

To those having exams currently, good luck and all the best!

Till next time,

Beach Please.

Hey guys, I'm back! Before this, I had tried to draft out posts but was facing some writer's block.. And I was also feeling a lil demotivated because I was not happy with the way my blog looks... I know, I know, NO EXCUSES.

But ever since sembreak, which started last week, I have been really motivated to get this blog up and going. I created a new header, since I managed to get the Photoshop program from Ming Han and he taught me the few basics, and with the help of google, I manage to create my own headers. Yay!


Now let's get back to the point.


Being a typical islander, I love the beach. Funny thing is ever since I left to Kampar to study, I often long to go back to the beach, even more so than I was in Penang, it's like a part of me is missing, as if I am actually not used to not having the sea around me. A friend of mine once made a statement, Penang people NEEDS the sea/beach.. If they leave to other places, the one thing that they will miss most is the beach. I am not certain enough to say that this is true, but I know I always find myself falling in love each time my bare feet touches the warm sand and cold sea water.


So the other day, when the peeps from Kulim and Mukit Mertajam came to the island, together with the city boy all the way from Kajang who was in town for that few days, we decided to go down to the beach, regardless of the time constraint and traffic jam. I mean, beach please, it's the freaking beach we are talking about. (Pun totally intended! :p )

I love the thrill of the sea waves crashing towards shore and sweeping away the sand beneath your feet. It still startles me sometimes, especially when the waves are strong, because it feels like you are being swept away, literally.

 There was this boat floating on the water right in front of us, as if it's begging us to capture it together with the picturesque background.

Another thing to love about the beach, I love how the sun gleams and reflects on the sea water, making the lighting so perfect to take photos. I believe that the right amount of sunlight is in fact better than any photo filters you can find.

I love this candid shot of myself, sweat glistening on my forehead, looking unladylike, but absolutely happy. Sun, sea, sand, good company, it's impossible to not feel this way. 

Because after all, this is home, and home is where the heart is. <3


Love,